Stationery pedestal



June 27, 1967 K- D. SCHREYER STATIONERY PEDES TAL Filed July 19, 1965 ZZO /lol

FIGJ

FIG.2

KENNETH D. SCHREYER 77% ATTYs.

K. D. SCHREYER STATIONERY PEDESTAL June 27, 1967 5 Sheets-$heet 2 Filed July 19, 1965 l w f Mmb'l l Il."""nunnnnnunnun"""HHHHHHVHHHHHH `m CMMI v 2ML. m: NOMI mwN/f: n mmm vvw v:yw\ l NVN DNN 1N mmw\ www J ldmvw, JUA w .l www L\|mmw www vmw/ wwlw mvww/Swu Mwwwm oww [tu l/ www ww www www, wwlw www/oww www -\omw omw\,\ ww wlwlw www/ u www m /oww l www oww mww www wom n DOQ 5m. com w A I. ovm om @mw www www www www. .v A -mi :y

June 27, 1967 K. vD. SCHREYER 3,328,104v

STATIONERY PEDESTAL Filed July 19, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet E June 27, 1967 K. D. scHREYL-:R 3,328,104

STATIONERY PEDESTAL Filed July 19, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 27, 1967 K. D. SCHREYER 3,328,104

STATIONERY PEDESTAL Filed July 19, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIGJ Unted States Patent O 3,328,104 STA'IIGNERY PEDES'IAL Kenneth D. Schreyer, Doylestown, Pa., assignor to Lyon Metal Products, Incorporated, Aurora, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Filed July 19, 1965, Ser. No. 472,892 16 Claims. (Cl. S12- 301) This invention relates to a stationery pedestal for storing oice supplies and the like, and to trays forming a part thereof.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide an improved stationery pedestal for storing oilice supplies and the like including a set of stationery trays supported upon guides for longitudinal sliding movement between a storage position and extended positions, there being provided cooperating abutment sh-oulders and arms on the trays, so that when one of the lower ones of the trays is moved from the storage position thereof to an extended position thereof, the trays disposed thereabove are moved from the storage position thereof to an extended position thereof wherein the next lower one of the trays is disposed outwardly with respect to the next higher one of the trays by a predetermined distance.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is another object of the invention to provide an improved stationery pedestal of the type set forth wherein the abutment shoulder is carried by an inturned ilange on a side wall of the tray and the arm is struck from the bottom wall of the tray.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved stationery pedestal of the type set forth wherein cooperating abutment shoulders and arms are provided on both sides of each tray to insure proper lateral alignment thereof without binding as the trays are pulled to the extended positions thereof.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved stationery pedestal of the type set forth, wherein the lowermost tray of the set of trays carries abutment lingers that project laterally outwardly to engage a portion of the associated pedestal body, thereby to prevent inadvertent removal of the trays from the pedestal body.

In connection with the foregoing object, it is another object of the invention to provide a pair of abutment lingers on opposite sides of the tray, the lingers being manually movable to .a disengaged position so as to release the trays with respect to the associated pedestal body.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved stationery pedestal of the type set forth wherein front and rear abutment shoulders are provided on the trays and the arms extend therebetween and in longitudinal alignment therewith, each arm being disposed against the associated front abutment shoulder and longitudinally spaced from the associated rear abutment shoulder a predetermined distance when the trays are in the storage position thereof, whereby when one of the trays is moved from the storage position thereof to an extended position thereof, the trays disposed thereabove are moved from the storage position thereof to an extended position thereof wherein the next lower one of the trays is disposed outwardly with respect to the next higher one of the trays by the predeterimned distance, and the trays disposed therebelow are moved from the storage position thereof to an extended position thereof in vertical alignment with the one tray, thereby to provide a neat orderly arrangement of the trays.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in a ICC stationery pedestal of the type set forth an improved tray which accommodates the interlocking between adjacent trays as set forth above, the trays incorporating therein abutment shoulders and arms as required.

Further features of the invention pertain to the arrangement of the parts, whereby the above-outlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of use, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best -be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of a stationery pedestal made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention, the stationery pedestal having been shown mounted on the end of a desk run-off with the door for closing the front of the stationery pedestal being shown partially broken away;

FIG. 2 is a View in vertical section along the line 2 2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view in vertical section through the stati-onery pedestal along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a further enlarged fragmentary View in vertical section along the line 4 4 of FIG. 3 and illustrating the mounting of one side of the trays and the interlocking between certain of the trays;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view in vertical section through certain of the trays as seen along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of an intermediate tray;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view in horizontal section through one of the side guides as seen in the direction of the arrows along the line 7-7 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of the stationery pedestal of FIG. 1 with the door closed and the pedestal removed from the associated run-olf structure;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view with certain portions broken away of the portion of FIG. 8 within the circle designated 9;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the portion of the structure illustrated in FIG. 9 as seen along the line 10-10 thereof;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical scction along the line 11-11 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view in horizontal section along the line 12-12 of FIG. 8; and

FIG. 13 is a view in vertical section along the line 13-13 of FIG. 12.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is illustrated a stationery pedestal made in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention, the stationery pedestal 100 having been shown mounted on the underside of a run-oif 50', the run-off 50 typically having the righthand end thereof (not shown) supported by an oiice desk and having the lefthand end thereof supported by support structure 60.

The stationery pedestal 100y includes a pedestal body 101 having a pair of longitudinally extending opposed side walls 102, a bottom wall 110, a top wall 120` (see FIG. 3 also) and a rear wall 130, all mutually joined at the intersecting edges thereof and deuing an enclosure having an opening in the front thereof that is adapted to be closed by a hinged door 150, a'front lframe 140 being provided adjacent to the front opening and extending therearound and also forming an abutment for the door in the closed position thereof.

Referring particularly to lFIGS. 3, 7 and y8 to 13, it will be seen that each of the side walls 102 includes a generally flat rearward directed panel 103 which has integral with the forward end thereof an inturned flange 104 which in turn carries a re-entrant flange 105 disposed substantially parallel to the panel 103, the flange 104 forming a portion of the frame of Ithe door 150. The bottom wall 110 likewise includes a substantially flat rectangular panel 111 which 'has an upturned front ange 114 thereon that carries an inturned flange 115 disposed substantially parallel to the panel 111. The flange 114 also forms a porti-on of a frame for the door 150 in cooperation with the flange-s 104 on the side walls 102.

The top wall 120 also extends between the side walls 102 and terminates at the forward end thereof at the frame 140 and at the rear end thereof is formed integral with the rear wall 130. The rear wall 130 extends be- -tween the side walls 102 and at the lower end thereof is intergal wit-h the forwardly directed panel 131 that extends forwardly and under the frame 140 and is disposed on top of the bottom wall 110.

The frame 140` extends completely around the f-ront of the pedestal body 101 and is disposed just to the rear of the inturned flanges 105 and 115 on the side walls 102 and the bottom 4wall 110, respectively. More specifically, the frame 140 is U-shaped in cross section and includes a main body 141 and a pair of parallel and outwardly directed flanges 142 and 143, the flange 142 being disposed directly against and in contact with the re-entrant anges 105 and 115. As may be seen in FIG. 7, the side walls 102 are connected to the frame flanges 142 and 143 as at 106, and the bottom wall 110 and the overlying panel 131 are connected to the frame 140` by members 144 and 145. The rea-r of the pedestal body 101 is reinforced by the structure 146 (see FIG. 3), whereby to insure the necessary strength and rigidity thereof. The frame 140 serves also to mount the forward end of the stationery pedestal 100 on the run-olf 50, and additional mounting structure 147 is also provi-ded at the rear of the pedestal body 101 on the top wall 120 for mounting the near of the stationery pedestal 100` upon the run-off 50.

Additional details of the construction of the pedestal body 101 and particularly details of 4the mounting of the door 150 will be seen by reference to FIGS. 8 to 13. As illustrated in -the drawings, the door 150 is hinged on the left as viewed in FIG. 8 within the frame 140` and surrounded by the anges 105 and 115 on the side walls 102 and the bottom wall 110, respectively. The door 150 is formed of a metal outer panel 151 and the metal inner panel 152 connected around the periphery thereof by a metal wall 153, a handle 155 being provided -on the outer panel 151 to facilitate opening and closing of the door. A quantity of insulating and sound deadening material 156 fills the interior of the door 150. An upper hinge plate 160 is provided to hinge the upper edge of the door to the frame 140, the hinge plate 160 including an attachment flange 161, an offset flange 1'62 and Va Y- shaped hinge flange 163, the flanges 161 and 163 being parallel to each other an-d both perpendicular to the flange 162, the flange 163 having two arms 164 and 165 as is best seen in FIG. 10. A pair of elliptical openings 166 is provided in the support ange 161 to receive therethrough bolt 167 that engage weld nuts 16S welded to the upper surface of the main wall 141 yof the frame 140. Each of the flange arms 164 and 165 carries a downwardly extending hinge post 169, the forwardmost hinge post 169 extending into an opening in the top wall 153 of the door 150 to provide a hinged connection thereto. The other arm 164 on the hinge plate 160 is utilized to hinge the door 150y yon the right, if desired. A second hinge plate 170 is Iprovided for hinging the lower edge of the door 150 to the pedestal body 101, the hinge plate 170 being suitably secured as by welding to the bottom wall 110 and having a hinge post 179 extending upwardly Jtherefrom in alignment with the hinge post 169, the hinge post 179 extending into an opening of the lower end of the door 150 'to provide a hinged connection therefor.

Finally, a brace structure 130 (see FIGS. 12 and 13) is provided to brace the door 150 in the open position thereof, when desired. Mounted on the frame 140 is an upstanding post 181 held thereon by a screw 182, the post 181 cooperating with a brace 183, and more specifically extending into an elongated slot 184 formed therein. A retaining plate 1185 is disposed above the brace 183 and is held in position by the screw 182 so as to maintain the brace 183 in sliding enga-gement with the post 181. The other end of the brace 183 is pivotally connected by a rivet 186 to a bracket 187 secured to the inner panel 152 of the door 150 by means of screws 188, a mounting plate 189 being provided on the inner surface of the door panel 152 to provide adequate engagement for the screws 188.

The pedestal body 101 supports therein for sliding movement with respect thereto a set of trays generally designated by the numeral 200 and as illustrated including eleven trays; disposed above the tray set 200 is a convenience tray 290. As illustrated, the set of trays 200 includes a topmost stationery tray 201, seven intermediate trays 220 of identical construction, a bottommost envelope tray 240 and two intermediate envelope trays 260 of identical construction. All of the trays in the set 200 including the trays 201, 220, 240 and 260, as well as the convenience tray 290, are supported upon a pair of guides 300 disposed upon opposite sides of the stationery pedestal 101 adjacent to the front opening therein and mounted upon the side walls 102. As may be seen in FIGS. 3, 4 and 7, each of the guides 300 is formed integral and as one-piece and each includes a main wall 301 that is generally rectangular in shape and carries on the inner surface thereof a plurality of guide flanges 302 disposed perpendicular to the main wall 301 and extending inwardly therefrom a short distance and disposed parallel to the bottom wall and the top wall of the pedestal body 101. Preferably the guides 300 are formed one-piece of synthetic plastic resin, the preferred plastic being high impact polystyerne, the shape olf the guides 300 facilitating their production by extrusion of pieces having the cross section illustrated in FIG. 4. As may be best seen in FIG. 3, the vertical extent of a guide 300 is from a point lspaced above the bottom wall 110 and upwardly to and slightly above the upper edge of the convenience tray 290, and the longitudinal rearward extent of the guide 300 is from a point to the rear of the anges 105 and 115 and rearwardly a distance equal approximately to 1/3 of the depth of the pedestal body 101. Each of the lguides 300 is mounted upon the associated side wall 102 by means of a plurality of screws extending through openings in the main wall 301. Referring more particularly to FIG. 7 of the drawings, it will be seen that there is provided toward the forward edge of the guide 300 a vertically arranged series of openings each receiving a screw 310 therethrough, the screw 310 being received in a threaded portion in the main wall 141 of the frame 140. In order properly to position the forward portion of the guide 300, a spacer 320 formed of plastic has been provided including a body 321 and a pair of vertically extending side anges 322, the wall 321 having openings therein to receive the screws 310 therethrough, whereby the spacer 320 serves properly to position the forward end of the guide 300 with respect to the associated side wall 102. The rear end of the guide 300 is mounted upon the side wall 102 by means of a support 330, the `support 330 including a main wall 331 extending substantially the height of the pedestal body 101 and having a pair of rearwardly directed flanges 332 carrying on the outer edges thereof out-turned attachment flanges 333 that are suitably secured to the side wall 102 as by welding. The main wall 331 has a series of openings therein in alignment with cooperating openings in the guide 300 to receive therethrough screws 3410 for mounting the rear end of the guide 300 upon the support 330.

The construction of one of the envelope trays 260 will now be described with particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 to 6, inclusive. The tray 260 is preferably formed entirely of sheet metal and includes a generally rectangular bottom wall 261 having on the longitudinally extending side edges thereof integral upturned flanges 262 extending the entire length thereof. The forward end of each of the side walls 262 is beveled upwardly and rearwardly as at 263. Integral with the upper edge of the side walls 262 is an inturned flange 264 extending from the associated bevel 263 rearwardly to the rear end of the associated flange 262, and formed in each of the lianges 264 is a cutout 265 providing a front abutment shoulder 266 and a rear abutment shoulder 267. The forward edge of the bottom wall 261 also has formed thereon a rearwardly disposed reinforcing flange 268 thereunder and on the rear end thereof an upturned rear fiange 269. Struck from the bottom wall 261 adjacent to the side edges thereof and in general vertical alignment with the slots 265 therein are two downwardly extending arms 270, each arm 270 having a forward projection 27 0a and a rear projection 27011 thereon and being adapted to engage in the cutout 265 of the tray disposed therebelow. A divider 271 is also provided on the upper surface of the bottom wall 261 and secured thereto by fasteners 272, the divider 271 extending from a point just rearwardly of the front end of the tray 260 to a point disposed slightly to the rear of the midpoint of the bottom wall 261. There further is provided in the bottom wall 261 a plurality of cutouts 273, 274 and 275 which cooperate to define a tab 276 connected to the bottom wall 261 by bendable hinge portions 277. Three of the tabs 276 have been illustrated in the bottom wall 261, two of the tabs being disposed on one side of the divider 271 and one tab on the other side thereof. Each of the tabs 276 is bendable between an inoperative position in which it lies in the plane of the bottom wall 261 and an operative position wherein it is disposed normal to the bottom wall 261 and extends upwardly therefrom as is illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. It will be understood that the tabs 276 can be manually moved between the operative and inoperative positions thereof as required, the tabs 276 in the operative position in effect shortening the length of the associated tray to accommodate a shorter length of envelope therein, the upper tab 276 disposed to the right in FIG. 6 being shown in the operative position.

The intermediate trays 220l are constructed like the trays 260, but as illustrated have a slightly shorter length and do not have the divider 271 therein. More specifically, each of the trays 220 includes a bottom wall 221, a pair of side walls 222 and a pair of inturned flanges 224 provided with cutouts 225 therein providing a front abutment shoulder 226 and a rear abutment shoulder 227. The forward edge of the bottom wall 221 also has formed thereon a rearwardly disposed reinforcing flanges 228 thereunder and on the rear end thereof an uptumed rear flange 229. Struck from the bottom wall 221 adjacent to the side edges thereof and in general vertical alignment with the cutouts 225 therein are two downwardly extending arms 230, each arm 230 having a forward projection 230a and a rear projection 23017 thereon and being adapted to engage in the cutouts 225 or 265, as the case may be, of the tray disposed therebelow. The bottom wall 221 may also be provided with the plurality of cutouts so as to define tabs (not shown) connected to the bottom wall 221 by bendable portions, these tabs being like the tabs 276 described above with respect to the tray 260.

The topmost tray 201 in the set 200 is essentially formed like one of the trays 220, but differs therefrom in that it does not have the cutouts in the inturned flanges -on the side walls; accordingly, like numerals have been applied to the parts of the tray 201 that correspond to like parts on one of the trays 220.

The lowermost tray 240 is formed substantially identical to the tray 260 described above in detail. More specifically, the tray 240 includes a bottom wall 241, a pair of side walls 242 and a pair of inturned flanges 244 provided with cutouts 245 therein providing a front abutment shoulder 246 and a rear abutment shoulder 247. The forward edge of the bottom wall 241 has thereon a downwardly disposed reinforcing flange 248 disposed substantially normal to the bottom wall 241, and an upwardly disposed rear wall 249, the flange 248 providing a convenient handhold for the user in pulling the set of trays 200 to the outermost position thereof. It will be noted that there are no downwardly extending arms struck from the bottom wall 241 0f the tray 240, inasmuch as there is no tray therebelow to cooperate with such arms. A divider 251 like the divider 271 described above is provided on the upper surface of the bottom wall 241, and there further is provided a plurality of cutouts (not shown) which cooperate to define a plurality of tabs (not shown) like the tabs 276 described above.

There further is provided on each side of the tray 240 adjacent to the rear thereof a pair of spring arms 255 including an attachment portion 256 suitably secured to the inner surface of the adjacent side wall 242 by suitable means such as welding. Formed integral with the attachment portion 256 and disposed rearwardly with respect thereto is a hook-like portion 257 that extends outwardly through an opening 242a formed in the side wall 242 at the rear thereof, the hook-like portion 257 extending substantially normal to the associated side wall 242 in position to engage the rear edge of the associated guide 300 when the drawer 240 is pulled forwardly to the position illustrated in FIG. 7. The spring arm 255 prevents inadvertent withdrawal of the drawer 240 from the pedestal body 101, whereby to prevent accidental dropping thereof accompanied by spillage of the contents thereof. Inasmuch as all of the trays in the set 200 are interconnected (as will be described more fully hereinafter), the spring arms 255 serve to prevent inadvertent withdrawal of the entire tray set 200 from the pedetsal body 101. Should it be desired to remove the tray set 200 from the pedestal body 101, a user may place his hands within the tray 240 and grasp the curved portions 258 at the juncture of the attachment portion 256 and the hook-like portion 257 and pull the hook-like portions 257 of the spring arms 255 inwardly through the associated openings 242a; the lowermost tray 240 and all the other trays in the tray set 200 can now be readily removed from the pedestal body 101. There further is provided on the rear wall 249 of the bottommost tray 240 a resilient bumper 259 which is adapted to engage the rear pedestal wall when the tray 240 is in the rearmost position thereof.

As is best illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the downwardly projecting arms of each next higher tray in the tray set 200 extend downwardly into the cutout of the next lower tray in the set of trays 200; more specifically, the downwardly extending arms 230 on the uppermost tray 201 extend downwardly into the associated cutouts 225 in the next lower tray 220; the arms 230 on each of the trays 220 except the lowermost one in turn extend downwardly into the associated cutouts 225 in the next lower tray, and the arms 230 of the lowermost tray 220 extend downwardly into the cutouts 265 in the uppermost intermeditae envelope tray 260; the arms 270 on the envelope trays 260 extend downwardly into the cutouts 265 and 245 on the associated next lower trays, respectively. When each of the trays in the tray set 200 is in the storage position thereof, i.e., when the trays are disposed as far to the right as possible in FIGS. 2 .and 3, the lowermost tray 240 has the bumper 259 at the rear thereof bearing against the rear pedestal wall 130; the arms 270 in the next higher tray 260 have the forward edges thereof disposed against the front shoulder 246 of the tray 240; the arms 270 of the next higher tray are disposed against the associated front abutment shoulders 266 on the next lower tray; the lowermost one of the trays 220 has the arms 230 thereof abutting against the associated front shoulders 266 on the higher one of the trays 260; the next higher trays 220 each have the arms 230 thereof disposed against the front abutment shoulders 226 of the next lower tray; and finally the toprnost tray 201 has the arms 230 thereof disposed respectively against the associated front abutment shoulders 226 on the topmost one of the trays 220; whereby each of the trays in the tray set 200 is held in its rearmost position by engagement of the arms thereof against the front abutment shoulder of the next lower tray in the tray set 200. As a result, all of the trays are uniformly aligned along the front edges thereof as is illustrated by the tray positions to the right in FIG. 2 and by the tray positions in solid lines and to the right in FIG. 3.

If the lowermost tray 240 is now pulled to the outermost position by the user grabbing the downturned ange 248 and moving the tray 240 to the position illustrated by the dashed lines and to the left in FIG. 3, each of the trays in the tray set 200 is moved outwardly so that the front edge thereof extends upwardly and rearwardly to the right along an inclined line illustrated to the left in FIG. 3. More specifically, movement of the lowermost tray 240 to its outermost position places the spring arms 255, and specifically the hook-like portions 257, in engagement with the rear edge of the associated guides 300, whereby to fix the position of the lowermost tray 240. The arms 270 on the lower one of the trays 260 after a short distance of travel of the tray 240 are engaged by the rear abutment shoulders 247 on the tray 240, which abutment shoulders 247 thereafter serve to carry the lower one of the trays 260 outwardly to the position illustrated to the left in dashed lines of FIG. 3. The rear abutment shoulders 267 on the lower one of the trays 260 after the short distance of outward travel thereof engage the arms 270 of the upper one of the trays 260, whereby to move the upper one of the trays 260 to the position illustrated. Such outward movement of the upper tray 260 causes the rear abutment shoulders 267 thereon to engage the depending arms 230 of the lowermost one of the trays 220, whereby to move the lowermost one of the trays 220 to the position illustrated to the left and in dashed lines in FIG. 3. Such outward movement of the lowermost one of the trays 220 causes the rear abutment shoulders 227 thereon to engage the depending arms 230 of the next higher tray 220 to pull the next higher tray to the outer position illustrated. And finally, movement of the highest one of the trays 220 to the outer position causes engagement of the shoulders 227 thereof with the depending arms 230 on the tray 201 to move the tray 201 to the position to the left illustrated in dashed lines in FIG, 3. Recapitulating, by simply grasping the flange 24S on the lowermost tray 240 and pulling outwardly until the tray is stopped by the spring arms 255, all of the trays in the tray set 200 are arranged in a staggered relationship with the next higher tray being slightly disposed inwardly or to the left as illustrated in FIG. 3, in which extended position the contents of the various trays are all readily available to the user, this all being accomplished by a single movement by the user of tray 240 from the storage position to the fully extended position thereof.

In order to move each of the trays in the tray set 200 from the fully extended position illustrated in FIG. 3 in dashed lines to the left to the storage position illustrated in yfull lines and to the right, the user need only push the depending flange 24S on the tray 240 inwardly or to the right from the position illustrated in dashed lines to that illustrated in full lines, i.e., to a position wherein the bumper 259 is abutting against the inner surface of the rear pedestal wall 130. Such movement of the lowermost tray 240 moves each of the higher trays in the tray set 200 to the full storage position thereof.

More specifically, after a short distance of travel of the lowermost tray 240, the front abutment shoulders 246 thereon engage the depending arms 270 on the next higher tray, whereby to move the next higher tray to the full storage position thereof, the front edge of the lowermost tray 260 now being in alignment with the front edge of the bottommost tray 240. After a movement of the lowermost tray 260 to the right a short distance, the front abutment shoulders 266 thereon engage the dependent arms 270 on the next higher tray 260, thereby to cause the next higher tray 260 to move to the full storage position thereof. Such movement of the higher tray 260 causes the front abutment shoulders 266 thereon quickly to engage the depending arms 230 on the lowermost one of the trays 220, thereby to move the lowermost tray 220 to the full storage position thereof. Each of the next higher trays 220 is likewise moved to the full storage position thereof by engagement of the front abutment shoulders 226 of a next lower tray with the depending arms 230 of the next higher tray. And finally, the uppermost one of the trays 220 after a short movement to the right engages the arms 230 of the uppermost tray 201 on the front abutment shoulders 226 thereof, thereby to move the top tray 201 to the full sto-rage position. In the full storage position the outer front edges (the edges disposed to the left and in solid lines in FIG. 3) are all in vertical alignment and disposed within the pedestal body 11.01.

At certain times the user does not wish to pull all of the trays in the tray set 200 to the outermost extended position illustrated by dashed lines in FIG. 3, but rather wishes to .pull only a certain group of trays in the tray set 200 to the outermost extended position. Such an instance is illustrated in FIG. 2, wherein the third tray 220 from the bottom is illustrated as having been pulled to the outermost position with each of the trays in the tray set 200 disposed therebelow also moved to the outermost extended position but with the trays in the tray set 200 disposed therebelow still in vertical alignment therewith (i.e., the forward edges in vertical alignment therewith). Such an arrangement of the trays automatically results from grasping the tray 220 disposed third from the bottom and pulling it outwardly to the position illustrated to the left in FIG. 2. Such movement of this tray 220 causes each of the trays therebelow in the tray set 200 to be moved outwardly with it and with the front edges in vertical alignment, since each of the depending arms 230 and 270 is in engagement with the associated front abutment shoulder 226, 266 or 246, as the case may be. After a short distance of travel of the tray 220 being pulled outwardly, the rear abutment shoulders 227 thereon engage the arms 230 of the next higher tray, whereby all of the next higher trays are moved outwardly in the staggered relationship discussed in detail above with respect to FIG. 3. As a result, all of the trays below the tray 220 that is grasped by the user have the front edges thereof invertical alignment with the grasped tray 220, while all of the trays in the tray set 200 above the tray 220 that is grasped are in the described rearwardly staggered relationship. Furthermore, the grasped tray 220 and all higher trays may be moved out a greater distance now than they could when the lowermost tray 240 is grasped, since the entire tray set 200 can now be moved outwardly until the spring arms 255 engage the rear edge of the guides 300. As a consequence, it will be noted that the grasped tray 220 and all higher trays in the tray set 200 may be moved outwardly a greater distance than is the case when the lowermost tray 240 is grasped. This can be most advantageous when it is desired to remove materials from the rear of the higher trays of the tray set 200 or when it is desirable to place materials in the rear thereof. It will be understood that a similar alignment of the trays in the tray set 200 is obtained when any other tray 201i, 220 or 260 is pulled outwardly manually.

The guides 300 essentially support the vario-us trays in the tray set 200 and the tray 290 in cantilever fashion,

both when the trays are in the storage position thereof illustrated in the drawing by solid lines in FIG. 3, and when the trays are in an extended or operative position thereof illustrated by dashed lines in FIGS, 2 and 3. More specifically, it will be seen from FIG. 3 that the rearward extent of the guides 300 is but a fraction of the longitudinal extent of even the shorter drawers 201 and 220, and specifically, the longitudinal extent of the guides 300 is less than half that of the shortest drawers 201 and 220. Such suspension of the drawers is accomplished because the guide flanges 302 on the guides 300 have upper surfaces 303 that support the associated tray by engaging the undersurface of the bottom wall thereof and also have lower surfaces 304 that engage the upper edges of the side walls of the trays and the inturned flanges thereon when necessary to limit the tilting movement of the trays when they are suspended and supported in cantilever fashion by the guides 300. In other words, each of the trays as may be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 is supported on the underside of the bottom wall thereof by the uppermost surface 303 on the guide flange 302 disposed therebelow, and when the tray is tipped in either the storage or an extended position thereof, the upper edge of the side wall and the upper surface of the inturned flanges thereon engage when necessary the inwardly extending undersurface 304 of the guide flange 302 disposed thereabove, whereby each of the trays is supported on each side thereof by a pair of vertically spaced apart and opposed support surfaces 303 and 304 on a pair of guide fianges 302.

This manner of supporting and suspending the trays is economical, provides for positive effective support in all positions of the trays, and gives smooth and easy sliding movement of each tray, and the entire set of trays When necessary, between the storage and extended positions thereof.

The convenience tray 290 is also mounted upon the side guides 300 between the uppermost pair of guide flanges 302 on the guides 300. As illustrated, the convenience tray 290 includes a bottom wall 291 having partial side walls 292 integral therewith, an upturned front wall 293 and an upturned integral rear wall 294 carrying a rubber bumper 295. Disposed within the convenience tray 290 is a divider structure 296 disposed between the side walls 292 and upon the bottom wall 291 and terminating in the front in a downturned flange 297 usefully adapted to be grasped by the user to move the tray 290 from the storage position illustrated by solid lines in FIG. 3 to the extended position illustrated by dashed lines therein. The rear ends of the side walls 292 carry spring arms 255 of the type described above with respect to tray 240, the spring arms S being adapted to engage the rear edge of the adjacent guide 300 to limit the outward movement of the tray 290, thus to prevent inadvertent total withdrawal and dropping thereof. The user can manually retract the spring arms 255, as has been described above, so that the tray 290 can be purposefully remove from the pedestal body 101, if desired.

In an illustrative example of the stationery pedestal 100, the pedestal body 101 has a width of 111/2 inches, a height of 16 inches and a depth of 18 inches. In the tray set 200, the uppermost tray 2.01 and each of the trays 220 has a width of 9 inches, a length of 14 inches and a depth of 31/32 inch; the trays 240 and 260 have a length of 17 inches and the other dimensions same as the trays 201 and 220. The side guides 300 each have a height of 14 inches, a width (longitudinal extent) of 61/2 inches; the vertical extent of the guide flanges 302 is 1A; inch, the width of 1/3 inch and a distance of 1 inch between the opposing support surfaces 303 and 304. Each tray travels outwardly about 1 inch before the rear abutment flange 227, 247 or 267, as the case may be, contacts the arms on the next higher tray. All of the parts are made of sheet metal except those specifically stated to be formed of other materials as described above.

From the above it will be seen that there has been provided an improved stationery pedestal for storing oce supplies and the like, and trays for use therein, which fulfill all of the -objects and advantages set forth above. More specifically, there has been provided an improved stationery pedestal of the type set forth including a set of stationery trays supported upon guides for longitudinal sliding movement between a storage position and one of several extended positions, there being provided cooperating abutment shoulders and arms on the trays, so that when one of the lower ones of the trays is moved lfrom the storage position thereof to an extended position thereof, the trays disposed thereabove are moved from the storage position thereof to an extended position thereof wherein the next lower one of the trays is disposed outwardly with respect to the next higher one of the trays by a predetermined distance, thereby to provide a staggered array lof the trays. Preferably, the abutment shoulders are carried by inturned flanges on the side walls of the tray and the dependent arms are struck from the bottom walls of the trays. There further are provided on the lowermost tray spring fingers that prevent inadvertent removal of the trays from the pedestal body, the spring fingers being manually retractable to release the trays, if desired. In addition, pairs of opposed front and rear abutment shoulders are provided on each of the trays so that the trays can be all moved from the extended positions to the storage positions by grasping the lowermost tray and moving it to the storage position, and conversely when an intermediate tray is grasped and moved from the storage position thereof to an extended position thereof, the trays disposed thereabove are moved from the storage position thereof to the staggered extended position thereof wherein the next lower one of the trays is disposed outwardly with respect to the next higher one of the trays by a predetermined distance, and the trays disposed therebelow are moved from the storage position thereof to an extended position thereof with the front edges in vertical alignment with the one grasped tray.

Finally, improved trays for use in a stationery pedestal have also been provided, each of the trays having structure therein accommodating interlocking between adjacent trays as set forth above, the trays incorporating therein abutment shoulders and arms as required. Furthermore, in certain of the trays, portions of the bottom wall are cut out to provide tabs connected to the bottom Wall by hinged portions, the tabs being manually bendable between an inoperative position `disposed in the plane of the bottom wall and an operative position disposed laterally of the tray and extending upwardly from the bottom wall thereof to provide a partition for the tray.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A stationery pedestal for storing ofce supplies and the like comprising a body having a generally vertically arranged front opening therein and a pair of rearwardly extending side walls, a pair of guides disposed within said body and respectively mounted upon said side walls in general alignment, a set of stationery trays supported upon said guides for longitudinal sliding movement thereon between a storage position and extended positions, all but the topmost one of said set of trays having an inturned flange on at least one side thereof carrying an abutment shoulder thereon, and all but the bottommost one of said set of trays having a downwardly extending arm disposed in front of and in longitudinal alignment with the abutment shoulder of the next lower one of said trays, each of said arms being longitudinally spaced from the associated one of said abutment shoulders a predetermined distance When said trays are in the storage posil l tion thereof, whereby when one of the lower ones of said trays is moved from the storage position thereof to an extended position thereof the trays disposed thereabove are moved from the storage position thereof to an extended position thereof wherein the next lower one of said trays is disposed outwardly with respect to the next higher one of said trays by said predetermined distance.

2. The stationery pedestal set forth in claim l, and further comprising a door hingedly mounted on said body and arranged to close said front opening when said trays are in the storage position thereof.

3. A stationery pedestal for storing office supplies and the like comprising a body having a generally vertically arranged front opening therein and a pair of rearwardly extending side walls, a pair of guides disposed within said body and respectively mounted upon said side walls in general alignment, a set of stationery trays supported upon said guides for longitudinal sliding movement thereon between a storage position and extended positions, each of said trays including a bottom wall and a pair of opposed longitudinally extending side walls, at least one of said tray side Walls on all but the topmost one of said set of trays having an inturned frange thereon carrying an abutment shoulder, and all but the bottommost one of said set of trays having a downwardly extending arm disposed in fro-nt of and in longitudinal alignment with the abutment shoulder of the next lower one of said-trays, each of said arms being longitudinally space-d from the associated one of said abutment shoulders a predetermined distance when said trays are in the storage position thereof, whereby when one of the lower ones of said trays is moved from the storage position thereof to an extended position thereof the trays disposed thereabove are moved from the storage position thereof to an extended position thereof wherein the next lower one of said trays is disposed outwardly with respect to the next higher one of said trays by said predetermined distance.

4. A stationery pedestal for storing oflice supplies and the like comprising a body having a generally vertically arranged front opening therein and a pair of rearwardly extending side walls, a pair of guides disposed within said body and respectively mounted upon said side walls in general alignment, a set of stationery trays supported upon said guides for longitudinal sliding movement thereon between a storage position and extended positions, each of said trays including a bottom wall and a pair of opposed longitudinally extending side Walls, at"-least one of the side walls of all but the topmost one of the set of trays having an inwardly directed ange thereon carrying an abutment shoulder, and all but the bottommost one of said set of trays having a downwardly extending arm struck from the bottom wall thereof and disposed in front of and in longitudinal alignment with the abutment shoulder of the next lower one of said trays, each of said arms being longitudinally spaced from the associated one of said abutment shoulders a predetermined distance when said trays are in the storage position thereof, whereby when one of the lower ones of said trays is moved from the storage position thereof to an extended position thereof the trays disposed thereabove are moved from the storage position thereof to an extended position thereof wherein the next lower one of said trays is disposed outwardly with respect to the next higher one of said trays by said predetermined distance.

5. A stationery pedestal for storing office supplies and the like comprising a body having a generally vertically arranged front opening therein and a pair of rearwardly extending side walls, a pair of guides disposed Within said body and respectively mounted upon said side walls in general alignment, a Set of stationery trays supported upon said guides for longitudinal sliding movement thereon between the storage position and extended positions, each of said trays including a bottom wall and a pair of opposed longitudnially extending side walls on the outer edges of said bottom wall, both of the side walls of all but the topmost one of said set of trays having an inturned flange thereon and each providing an abutment shoulder, and all but the bottommost one of said set of trays having a pair of downwardly extending arms struck from the bottom wall thereof and disposed in front of and in longitudinal alignment with an associated one of said abutment shoulder on the next lower one of said trays, each of said arms being longitudinally spaced from the associated one of said abutment shoulders a predetermined distance when said trays are in the storage position thereof, whereby when one of the lower ones of said trays is moved from the storage position thereof to an extended position thereof the trays disposed thereabove are moved from the storage position thereof to an extended position thereof wherein the next lower one of said trays is disposed outwardly with respect to the next higher one of said trays by said predetermined distance.

6. A stationery pedestal for storing oflice supplies and the like comprising a body having a generally vertically arranged front opening therein and a pair of rearwardly extending side walls, a pair of guides disposed within said body and respectively mounted upon said side walls in general alignment, a set of stationery trays supported upon said guides for longitudinal sliding movement thereon between a storage position and extended positions, said body having a projection thereon interiorly thereof, the bottommost one of said set of trays having an abutment nger thereon extending outwardly therefrom and engaging said projection in the outermost extended position of said lowermost tray to prevent inadvertent removal thereof from Said body, all but the topmost one of said set of trays having an inturned flange on at least one side thereof carrying an abutment shoulder thereon, and all but the bottommost one of said set of trays having a downwardly extending arm disposed in front of and in longitudinal alignment with the abutment shoulder of the next lower one of said trays, each of said arms being longitudinally spaced from the associated one of said abutment shoulders a predetermined distance when said trays are in the storage position thereof, whereby `when one of the lower ones of said trays is moved from the storage position thereof to an extended position thereof the trays disposed thereabove are moved from the storage position thereof to an extended position thereof wherein the next lower one of said trays is disposed outwardly with respect to the next higher one of said trays by said predetermined distance.

7. The stationery pedestal set forth in claim 6, wherein said abutment nger is manually retractable out of engagement with said projection to release said bottommost drawer to permit removal thereof from said body.

8. A stationery pedestal for storing office supplies and the like comprising a body having a generally vertically arranged front opening therein and a pair of rearwardly extending side walls, a pair of guides disposed within said body and respectively mounted upon said side walls in general alignment, a set of stationery trays supported upon said guides for longitudinal sliding movement thereon between a storage position and extended positions, each of said trays including a bottom wall and a pair of opposed longitudinally extending side walls, at least one of Said tray side walls on all but the topmost one of said set of trays having an inturned flange thereon carrying front and rear abutment surfaces longitudinally spaced apart and in longitudinal alignment, and all but the bottommost one of said trays having a downwardly extending arm disposed between and in longitudinal alignment with the abutment shoulders of the next lower one of said trays, each of said arms being disposed against the associated front abutment shoulder and longitudinally spaced from the associated rear abutment shoulder a predetermined distance when said trays are in the storage position thereof, whereby when one of said trays is moved from the storage position thereof to an extended position thereof the trays disposed thereabove are moved from the storage position thereof to an extended position thereof wherein the next lower one of said trays is disposed outwardly with respect to the next higher one of said trays by said predetermined distance and the trays disposed therebelow are moved from the storage position thereof to an exten-ded position thereof in vertical alignment with said one tray.

9. A stationery pedestal for storing office supplies and the like comprising a body having a generally vertically arranged front opening therein and a pair of rearwardly extending side walls, a pair of guides disposed within said body and respectively mounted upon said side walls in general alignment, a set of stationery trays supported upon said guides for longitudinal sliding movement thereon between a storage position and extended positions, each of said trays including a bottom wall and a pair of opposed longitudinally extending side walls, at least one of the side walls of all but the topmost one of the set of trays having an inwardly directed flange thereon carrying front and rear abutment shoulders thereon longitudinally spaced apart and in longitudinal alignment, and all but the bottommost one of said set of trays having a downwardly extending arm struck from the bottom wall thereof and disposed between and in longitudinal alignment with the abutment shoulders the next lower one of said trays, each of said arms being disposed against the associated front abutment shoulder and longitudinally spaced from the associated rear abutment shoulder a predetermined distance when said trays are in the storage position thereof, whereby when one of said trays is moved from the storage position thereof to an extended position thereof the trays disposed thereabove are moved from the storage position thereof to an extended position thereof wherein the next lower one of said trays is disposed outwardly with respect to the next higher one of said trays by said predetermined distance and the trays disposed therebelow are moved from the storage position thereof to an extended position thereof in vertical alignment with said one tray.

10. A stationery pedestal for storing ollice supplies and the like comprising a body having a generally vertically arranged front opening therein and a pair of rearwardly extending side walls, a pair of guides disposed within said body and respectively mounted upon said side walls in general alignment, a set of stationery trays supported upon said guides for longitudinal sliding movement thereon between a storage position and extended positions, each of said trays including a bottom wall and a pair of opposed longitudinally extending side walls on the outer edges of said bottom wall, both of the side walls of all but the topmost one of said set of trays having an inturned flange thereon and each providing front and rear abutment shoulders therein longitudinally spaced apart and in longitudinal alignment, and all but the bottommost one of said set of trays having a pair of downwardly extending arms struck from the bottom wall thereof and disposed between and in longitudinal alignment with the abutment shoulders of the next lower one of said trays, each of said arms being disposed against the associated front abutment shoulder and longitudinally spaced from the associated rear abutment shoulder a predetermined distance when said trays are in the storage position thereof, whereby when one of said trays is moved from the storage position thereof to an extended position thereof the trays disposed thereabove are moved from the storage position thereof to an extended position thereof wherein the next lower one of said trays is disposed outwardly with respectto the next higher one of said trays by said predetermined distance and the trays disposed therebelow are moved from the storage position thereof to an extended position thereof in vertical alignment with said one tray.

11. A tray for use in a stationery pedestal for storing oiiice supplies and the like comprising a longitudinally extending bottom wall, a pair of opposed longitudinally extending side walls on the outer longitudinal edges of said bottom wall, an interned flange on at least one or said side walls, said inturned flange having a cutout therein intermediate the ends thereof providing facing front and rear abutment shoulders, said shoulders being longitudinally spaced apart and in general longitudinal alignment.

12. A tray for use in a stationary pedestal for storing office supplies and the like comprising a longitudinally extending bottom wall, a pair of opposed longitudinally extending side walls on the outer longitudinal edges of said bottom wall, at least one of said side walls having an inturned llange thereon, an abutment shoulder carried on said inturned flange intermediate the ends of said side wall, and a downwardly extending arm struck from said bottom wall adjacent to said one side wall and adapted to be disposed in longitudinal 4alignment with the associated abutment shoulder on a next lower tray.

13. A tray for use in a stationery pedestal for storing oice supplies and the like comprising a longitudinally extending bottom wall, a pair of 4opposed longitudinally extending side walls on the outer longitudinal edges of said bottom wall, both of said side walls having an inwardly directed flange thereon, each of said inturned llanges having front and rear abutment shoulders thereon longitudinally spaced -apart and in longitudinal alignment, and a pair of downwardly extending arms struck from said bottom wall and disposed respectively adjacent to said side walls and adapted to be disposed between and in longitudinal alignment with associated abutment shoulders on a next lower tray.

14. A sheet metal tray for use in a stationery pedestal for storing office supplies and the like comprising a longitudinally extending bottom wall, a pair of opposed longitudinally extending side walls on the outer longitudinal edges of said bottom wall, both of said side walls having an inwardly directed flange thereon, each of said flanges having a cutout therein providing facing front and rear abutment shoulders thereon longitudinally spaced apart and in longitudinal alignment, and a pair of spring arms mounted on said side wall and including hook-like portions and grasping portions, said hook-like portions extending laterally outwardly beyond said side walls for engagement with abutments on the associated stationery pedestal to prevent inadvertent removal of said tray therefrom, said grasping portions extending inwardly within said side walls for gripping by a user within said tray, said grasping portions upon being manually moved inwardly retracting said hook-like portions out of engagement with the 4associated abutments to permit removal of said tray from the associated stationery pedestal.

15. A sheet metal tray for use in a stationery pedestal for storing oilce supplies and the like comprising a longitudinally extending bottom wall, a pair of opposed longitudinally extending side walls on the outer longitudinal edges of said bottom wall, both of said side walls having an inwardly directed flange thereon, each of said flanges having a cutout therein providing facing front and rear abutment shoulders thereon longitudinally spaced apart and in longitudinal alignment, and a pair of downwardly extending arms struck from said bottom wall and disposed respectively adjacent to said side walls and adapted to be disposed between and in longitudinal alignment with associated abutment shoulders on a next lower tray.

16. A sheet metal tray for use in a stationery pedestal for storing oilice sup-plies and the like comprising a longitudinally extending bottom wall, a pair of opposed longitudinally extending side walls on the outer longitudinal edges of said bottom wall, and a pair of spring arms mounted on said side walls and including hook-like portions and grasping portions, said hook-like portions extending laterally outwardly beyond said side walls for engagement with abutments on the associated stationery pedestal to prevent inadvertent removal of said tray therefrom, said grasping portions extending inwardly within said side walls for gripping by a user within said tray, said grasping portions upon being manually moved inwardly retracting said hook-like portions out of engagement with References Cited UNTTED STATES PATENTS 11/1931 Attwood 312-323 X 3/ 1965 Stark 312-273 1 i3 FOREIGN PATENTS 871,665 1/1942 France. 394,279 4/1924 Germany.

5,543 4/1889 Great Britain.

ROY D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner.

F. DOMOTOR, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A STATIONARY PEDESTAL FOR STORING OFFICE SUPPLIES AND THE LIKE COMPRISING A BODY HAVING A GENERALLY VERTICALLY ARRANGED FRONT OPENING THEREIN AND A PAIR OF REARWARDLY EXTENDING SIDE WALLS, A PAIR OF GUIDES DISPOSED WITHIN SAID BODY AND RESPECTIVELY MOUNTED UPON SAID SIDE WALLS IN GENERAL ALIGNMENT, A SET OF STATIONARY TRAYS SUPPORTED UPON SAID GUIDES FOR LONGITUDINAL SLIDING MOVEMENT THEREON BETWEEN A STORAGE POSITION AND EXTENDED POSITIONS, ALL BUT THE TOPMOST ONE OF SAID SET OF TRAYS HAVING AN INTURNED FLANGE ON AT LEAST ONE SIDE THEREOF CARRYING AN ABUTMENT SHOULDER THEREON, AND ALL BUT THE BOTTOMMOST ONE OF SAID SET OF TRAYS HAVING A DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING ARM DISPOSED IN FRONT OF AND IN LONGITUDINAL ALIGNMENT WITH THE ABUTMENT SHOULDER OF THE NEXT LOWER ONE OF SAID TRAYS, EACH OF SAID ARMS BEING LONGITUDINALLY SPACED FROM THE ASSOCIATED ONE OF SAID ABUTMENT SHOULDERS A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE WHEN SAID TRAYS ARE IN THE STORAGE POSITION THEREOF, WHEREBY WHEN ONE OF THE LOWER ONES OF SAID TRAYS IS MOVED FROM THE STORAGE POSITION THEREOF TO AN EXTENDED POSITION THEREOF THE TRAYS DISPOSED THEREABOVE ARE MOVED FROM THE STORAGE POSITION THEREOF TO AN EXTENDED POSITION THEREOF WHEREIN THE NEXT LOWER ONE OF SAID TRAYS IS DISPOSED OUTWARDLY WITH RESPECT TO THE NEXT HIGHER ONE OF SAID TRAYS BY SAID PREDETERMINED DISTANCE. 